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Red and Brown Poodles: Facts, Pictures, Origin & History

Written by: Nicole Cosgrove

Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Nicole Cosgrove

Red and Brown Poodles: Facts, Pictures, Origin & History

Poodles have grown in popularity over time from starring in movies or just being known as the fanciest breed of dog around! You might not know everything there is to know about the breed, and if you’re looking to jump into the world of owning a poodle, there may be some things you’d want to know.

Breed Overview

Height:

15 – 24 inches

Weight:

40 – 70 pounds

Lifespan:

12 – 15 years

Colors:

Apricot, brown, white, gray, black, cream, fawn

Suitable for:

New dog owners, families with older kids, people with allergies

Temperament:

Intelligent, active, friendly, mischievous

If you’re wondering about the red and brown poodle in particular—its history, origin, temperament, and more, continue reading this article for everything you need to know.

Poodle Characteristic

Energy
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Lifespan
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Sociability
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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The Earliest Records of Red and Brown Poodles in History

Most poodles will be recognized in either white or black coats, but how did the red and brown poodle come to be? The red/brown poodle was first recognized in 1980 after the selective breeding of poodles in different coat colors. It is a rare gene—called the ‘Rufus’ gene—in the poodle that produces the reddish-brown coat.

How Red and Brown Poodles Gained Popularity

The poodle is a common breed that was historically recognized centuries ago in Germany and other European artworks from as early as the 1700s. When it hit the early 1900s the poodle’s popularity seemed to have decreased. Over time, the poodle has shifted from the standard and more common black coat to crossbreeding with smaller dogs and resulting in the rare Rufus gene resulting in smaller, apricot-colored poodles.

The toy brown or red poodle has become one the most common type of dogs people are moving towards when choosing a poodle. Nowadays, you will often see short, curly fur (characteristic of a poodle) on a small breed usually crossed with Shih Tzus or Maltese.

Poodle Brush
Image Credit: Kristina Arba, Shutterstock

Formal Recognition of Red and Brown Poodles

Red poodles were officially recognized in 1980 by the American Kennel Club (AKC). There are additional registries that recognize the red, brown, or multicolored poodles, but it varies by location and standards set by the registry itself. The official recognition of poodles is much more dated, while the apricot variety of poodles is more recent.

Due to this, the recognition of this specific poodle is not widely known across dog breed registries. It’s more likely that you will see this for red and brown poodle mixes of the smaller variety.

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Top 5 Unique Facts About Red and Brown Poodles

While most interesting facts about the red or brown poodle come from its genetic makeup, there are additional things that are unique to its breed. Most of these facts stem from the red/brown poodle’s origin—the standard black poodle. These dogs are usually medium-sized to large, with long legs and relatively athletic builds.

Generally, they have short curly fur, and you can recognize the standard poodle by the extra tuft of fur that grows around their foreheads and ears. Now, the red and brown poodle is interesting, from its breathtaking coat color to the outcome of the breed mixing with others.

1. Black is the dominant coat color of standard poodles


2. Brown and apricot coats fade with age

Toy Poodle
Image Credit: ptksgc, Pixabay

3. The “Rufus” gene is used to characterize the brown/apricot coat color


4. Poodle origins can be dated back to the 17th century through art


5. Poodles may have been fowl-catching dogs originally

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Do Red and Brown Poodles Make a Good Pet?

Poodles will always prefer to be with their owners. They have a very loyal temperament and love laying on your lap as well as running around with other dogs. Poodles are great listeners and obedient as well, so they will be relatively easy to train and command. The poodle is active in nature and will enjoy playing and can be known to be quite chirpy when they get excited. They make great family pets and can be easily trained with the right attention.

Regular exercise is great for these dogs to calm their energy levels and provide a good active outlet for them. It’s also a great stimulant for them, as the poodle is a very intelligent breed. What’s more, give them activities that challenge their intellect or teach them new tricks regularly to boost their natural smart nature.

standard poodle lying on grass
Image Credit: digitalskennedy, Pixabay

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Conclusion

Red and brown poodles may be a genetic anomaly, but they are great for families and new pet owners alike. The cuddly, soft, eye-catching dog is a great option when looking for a new furry friend. Their friendly temperament, intelligence, and ease of training make them a great option. The poodle has been crossbred over time with many other smaller breeds so they can be seen in many different forms. Hopefully, this article has been helpful in providing you with background on the red and brown poodle.


Featured Image Credit: NDAB Creativity, Shutterstock

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